Science Source

Shoreline Changes on an Urban Atoll in the Central Pacific Ocean: Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands

States that Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands, is considered highly vulnerable to sea level rise
Presents an analysis of shoreline change over a 34- to 37-year study period, characterized by rapidly increasing population, coastal development, and rising sea level (3.0 mm y−1)
Results show most (93%) urban and rural villages have increased in size over the study period
Shoreline change analysis indicates the urban area has expanded both toward the lagoon and onto the ocean-facing reef flat
Finds that rural areas of the atoll typically have lower rates of shoreline change relative to those of urban areas
Analysis indicates that the rural lagoon shore is predominantly eroding, whereas the ocean-facing shore is largely accreting
Finds that any shoreline response to sea level rise along the Majuro coast is likely masked by widespread anthropogenic impacts to the coastal system